. >> and lord, joseph, roman catholic church, cardinal ratzinger. ratzinger. >> oh, back now to more recent images and it's clear that the pope, vatican leader has taken a toll on him physically and such a incredibly demanding position, he insists that the decision to step down was made without any outside pressure. greg palkot is outside london with the latest. >> reporter: it was a big surprise to a lot of people. pope benedict xvi saying he will step down on february 28th, less than eight years into the papacy and he went on to say that specifically his strength was deteriorating in the last few months and that's why he made the decision. according to the vatican today, this sets up a conclave of cardinals and elections for a new pope by mid march and the vatican saying we should see a new pope by easter sunday, march 31st. and benedict will not take part in that conclave and has to be said conclaves usually happen when poapst die and the last time a pope resigned was the year 1415. and pope benedict says that poapst should step down when they do